August 2014

In recent weeks, there have been questions about the criminal justice system’s use of “big data” in sentencing decisions. Some have even alleged that the practice is “deeply unfair and almost certainly unconstitutional.” This assertion is simply incorrect. There is no question that risk assessment tools are constitutional, provided that they don’t take into account … Read More

NEW YORK, NY—Laura and John Arnold Foundation (LJAF) today announced a grant to the University of Washington to conduct an evaluation of Seattle’s innovative Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program. This promising pilot program, which began in the fall of 2011, allows police officers in one Seattle Police Department precinct and one King County Sheriff’s … Read More